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France and Sweden have signed a €4.3 billion deal for four French frigates, strengthening European defence cooperation.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson witnessed the signing on Monday aboard the French frigate Amiral Ronarc’h in Stockholm.
Macron described the deal as a “major strategic partnership” between the two European countries.
“This demonstrates the strength and importance of this European pillar of defence,” Macron said.
Kristersson said the agreement reflected Europe’s growing need to take greater responsibility for its own security.
“Everyone now knows that in Europe we must take greater responsibility for our own security,” he said.
Sweden is increasing defence spending following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and joined NATO in 2024.
The first of the four frigates ordered from French shipbuilder Naval Group is expected in 2030.
France hopes the deal will strengthen its defence industry across Europe and provide an alternative to US defence suppliers.
The agreement follows France’s purchase of two GlobalEye early-warning aircraft from Swedish defence company Saab for more than €1 billion in December.
French and Swedish defence ministers also signed a framework agreement to strengthen military cooperation between both countries. The two nations are also discussing ways to strengthen Europe’s nuclear deterrence, with France being the European Union’s only nuclear-armed state.
The Elysee Palace said discussions on nuclear cooperation, which began with a meeting in Paris in April, are continuing and intensifying.
